Vincent Tabak has wept in the dock as a jury was shown harrowing images of Joanna Yeates's strangled body.

The 33-year-old covered his face with his hands as close-up pictures of her injuries were shown on big screens.

Close-up shots of her face from post-mortem examinations showed her with blood-stained short blonde hair. Red bruise marks were shown on her neck and chin.

Mr Justice Field had warned the jury at Bristol Crown Court to prepare for the images, which were taken after her body was found by dog walker Daniel Birch.

As the pictures were shown to the jury, pathologist Russell Delaney told the jury of a host of injuries found around her face and neck.

Purple bruising above Miss Yeates's right eye and a graze on her cheek were found by Dr Delaney, the court heard. Injuries on her nose and lip were also suffered while Miss Yeates was still alive, he said.

Andrew Mott, a forensic officer who reached the scene after police arrived shortly after 9am, told how he tried to prevent Miss Yeates's body thawing out.

Tabak's QC, William Clegg, questioned why photographs were not taken of a broom being used to arrange straps underneath the body so her body could be taken away.

"I can't comment on why that was the case," Mr Mott said.

"The straps that we used are hooked around the broom so it would have to be the straps that come into contact with the body."